Haven: Revenge of the Viper by D.C. Akers

when they heard the door open.
    Alisa was dressed in the powder blue diner uniform she affectionately called her “Granny Blues” because of the white ruffled collar and fringe at the bottom. Her purse was draped over her shoulder and she was struggling to keep a hold of the two bags of groceries she was carrying. But as she stepped into the house one of the bags tore, spilling cans, bottles, and small frozen dinner packages onto the floor.
    “Ugh, that figures!” she said in an exasperated tone. Shaking her head at the spilt contents, she bent down and began to gather the groceries.
    Sam hurried out of the kitchen to help her with Travis close behind.
    “We’ll get it, Mom!” Sam said, knelling down to gather the groceries.
    “Here, let me take that one for you, Mrs. Dalcome,” Travis said.
    “Thank you, boys, I appreciate it.”
    Alisa handed Travis the other bag as she closed the door behind her. She stepped around Sam and headed directly to the couch.
    “Hey, Mom, wow, you look bad,” Sarah said as she walked into the living room, scrutinizing her mother’s appearance.
    “Thanks, Sarah, I love you too,” Alisa said rolling her eyes and plopping herself on the couch.
    “I’m kidding, you know I love you,” she said smiling over at Travis. “Do you want me to make us some dinner?”
    Alisa threw her slender legs on the couch and propped a few pillows behind her head before sighing. “Ah, much better.”
    “Earth to Mom!” Sarah said.
    “What?”
    “Dinner?” Sarah repeated.
    “Oh, no I brought dinner, it’s Chinese night. Travis has it in his bag. I hope you like Kung Pao Chicken, Travis,” she said, peering over the top of the couch at him.
    “Um, yes, I do, thank you,” he replied.
    “Good.” Alisa said as she disappeared behind the couch again.
    Travis grinned and looked over at Sarah. She too was smiling as she took the Chinese food out of the bag. “Oh, I like these green bean things too,” Travis said.
    Sarah laughed, “Edamame, silly.”
    “Eda-what?” Travis asked, pulling the carton closer, as if it were a foreign substance.
    “Ed-a-ma-me, it’s not a green bean; it’s a soybean in a pod.”
    Keeping his eyes on Sarah, Travis pulled one from the container. “Pods, I like those,” he said and popped it in his mouth.
    Sam had made two trips from the doorway to the kitchen before Travis even remembered that he was there.
    “Sorry, Dude, you need any help?” he asked as Sam placed the last can on the counter.
    “Um, that would be a no!” Sam said scowling. He wasn’t sure what was going on with Travis and Sarah, but whatever it was, it was strange. Sarah was being too nice and it was starting to make Sam uncomfortable. When Sarah was nice, bad things happened, especially to Sam.
    “Sooo, how was your day?” Sarah asked her mother.
    But again there was no reply.
    “Mom?”
    “Huh, are talking to me?” Alisa asked. Her eyes were closed now.
    “Well, yeah, who else would I be talking to? I know how Sam’s day went.” Sarah leaned over at Sam and hissed, “I hope you put the garage back together.”
    Sam’s eyes narrowed and his lips pursed. Travis looked at both of them but said nothing.
    “Oh, it was fine,” Alisa sighed and positioned her head more comfortably on the pillows. “I cured world hunger, but the whole world peace thing is going to take some time.”
    Travis smiled. It was obvious where Sam and Sarah got their sarcasm.
    Sam turned his attention back to his mother; he still needed to apologize for the other night. But he also had some very important questions he needed to ask her. However, she was tired and this was probably not the best time to ask about the storage box, the magic, or the stranger. If Sam was smart, he would apologize first; maybe soften her up a bit before he started in on her secrets.
    He made his way around the couch as Travis helped Sarah set the table. Alisa was lying there with her eyes closed and a small grin on her face. He